By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 08:25, Friday, 22 February 2013

A drug-dealing gang, unearthed following two separate undercover police investigations, is appearing at Carlisle Crown Court.

The nine men and one woman – from Carlisle, west Cumbria, Kendal and St Helens on Merseyside – are appearing in front of Judge Paul Batty QC.

The gang was arrested as a result of police operations codenamed Silkworm and Adder.

The court heard that one of the men – Roger Joseph Fox, 37, of Greta Avenue, Carlisle – had a “significant role in the drugs supply chain” and was “an established dealer”.

Fox has admitted conspiring with others to supply cocaine, between February 14, 2012 and April 7, 2012.

The court was told  that Steven John Smith, 31, of Towncroft, Dearham – who has admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and methcathinone, or Miaow Miaow, between March 1 and May 22, 2012 – was “in charge” of the team in west Cumbria.

Prosecutor Jeremy Grout-Smith said: “He owned a tanning studio and a gym in Maryport and Cockermouth.”

He said that 137g of cocaine with a 10 per cent purity – worth about £5,500 – was seized from Smith.

The others who stand to be sentenced today are:

• Martin Smith, 30, of Grange Avenue, Flimby. He has pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply methcathinone or its derivatives, between March 1 and May 22, 2012.
• Grant Robertson, 27, of Barepot, Workington. He has pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply methcathinone or its derivatives, between March 1 and May 22, 2012. He also admitted possessing 212 counterfeit £1 coins.
• Michael Britland, 29, of St Helens. He has admitted conspiring to supply cocaine.
• Andrew Robinson, 32, of Yew Bank Lane, Whitehaven. He has pleaded guilty to possessing mephedrone.
• Clint Tinsley, 33, of St Helens. He has admitted conspiring to supply cocaine.
• Stephen Neill, 34, of Kendal. He has pleaded guilty to conspiring with others unknown to supply cocaine, between February 14 and April 7, 2012.
• Luke Babester, 39, of Milnthorpe near Kendal. He has pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine, between January 1 and February 14, 2010, and to conspiring to supply it between February 14 and April 7, 2012.
• Angela Clark, 52, of Robert Owen Avenue, Cleator Moor.

She was found guilty after trial this week of conspiring with others to supply methcathinone between March 1 and May 22 last year and possessing amphetamine.

The case continues.

First published at 08:20, Friday, 22 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk